The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube has expressed shock and outrage at the killing of yet another councillor in Richmond local municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.
Councillor Sfiso Mkhize of Richmond’s ward 2, was killed in a hail of bullets today evening while on his way home. Councilor Mkhize is the third municipal official to die in gruesome manner in Richmond in just three months.
“This is an extremely difficult time for the fraternity of local government as we mourn yet another loss of a public representative at the hands of cold-blooded assassins who have no respect for human life. Incidents such as this callous murder are a wrenching reminder of the great sacrifices and risks that councillor’s make by choosing to be servants of the people”, said Cogta MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
“We will not be deterred as leaders in the sphere of local government by this unfortunate incident. We must all come together to keep pressure on the criminals in our society who create an atmosphere of fear through the murder of local government representatives” said Dube-Ncube.
“We ask the community of Richmond in the midst of the hurt and heartache that they are all feeling in this moment, to remain calm and united and continue to work with law enforcement agencies and provide information that will lead to the arrest of those behind this dastardly deed” Dube-Ncube added.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, constituency and political party of Cllr Mkhize, the ANC, whose untimely death without a doubt has left a void in the community of Richmond,” said KZN MEC for Cogta Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
KZN Cogta is urging the law enforcement agencies to investigate the killing without delay and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“This is a period in which together we must unite to take back the space from the criminals who want to plunge the Richmond area back to violence. We must never reverse the progress we have made in building a Richmond that has turned its back on violence and embraced peace” added Dube-Ncube.
For more information contact: KZN Cogta spokesperson Lennox Mabaso, 082 884 2403 or Msawakhe Mayisela on 0609664220
ENDS